ComputAbility is
a volunteer driven program that provides an opportunity for persons with special
needs to become more independent and have a higher quality of life by obtaining
computer literacy. Our participants are matched to a qualified Computer Tutor
volunteer who provides one-on-one goal oriented computer training for a minimum
of one hour per week. Our participants aim is to use the computer for
employment, educational and special interests purposes. The volunteer computer
tutors provide computer training to children, adults and seniors with special
needs (low income, ESL, any disability, or health concern) and matched to
participants based on their computer skills and teaching techniques. Their role
would include teaching skills such as MS Office, E-mail, Internet, mouse
techniques, keyboard skills and use of various software.
We only require 1
hr per week, more hours are available if desired. We are open Mon-Friday 8:30 AM
– 4:30 PM. For more information please contact Linda Jensen at 262-9445 x 111 or
linda_jensen@abilitysociety.org.
Why Volunteer?
Rob
Rappel Shares His Volunteer Experience:
This
is my personal viewpoint on volunteering for the Ability Society – specifically
in the Computability program.
I
was a professional electrical engineer and I had a brain aneurysm in June 2004.
I successfully graduated from my medical rehabilitation programs. Now I am
thinking of going back to the ‘work’ world. As a result of my previous job, my
computer skills are quiet high. We couldn’t think of a better volunteer job to
discover and test my job skills than to tutor for the Ability Society in their
Computability program. I have been a volunteer at Computability since July
2005.
Volunteering at Computability has a number of benefits. It has allowed me to
practise every day work skills and it allows me to teach clients to use the
computer and NOT be afraid of it. I get a great sense of pride when the
client(s) are able to get onto the computer and know what they have to do to
complete the task that would like to do.
I
like working at Computability so much that I actually inquired about employment
with the agency. And as you know, the Ability Society isn’t in a position to
hire another employee - darn.
With
my history, I know how hard it is to learn something new. That is the main
issue from my aneurysm. Repetition is paramount if a person wants to learn and
REMEMBER something. I think my situation is very helpful when I go and tutor
people, if I have to repeat things several times – that is OK, I understand.
